54. And he said to me, Not only this, but ask the earth, and she shall tell you; entreat her, and she shall declare to you.
55. For you shall say to her, You bring forth gold and silver and brass, and iron also and lead and clay:
56. but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, lead than iron, and clay than lead.
57. Judge you therefore which things are precious and to be desired, whatso is abundant or what is rare.
58. And I said, O Lord that bear rule, that which is plentiful is of less worth, for that which is more rare is more precious.
59. And he answered me, and said, Weigh within yourself the things that you have thought, for he that has what is hard to get rejoices over him that has what is plentiful.
60. So also is the judgement which I have promised: for I will rejoice over the few that shall be saved, inasmuch as these are they that have made my glory now to prevail, and of whom my name is now named.
61. And I will not grieve over the multitude of them that perish; for these are they that are now like to vapor, and are become as flame and smoke; they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are quenched.
62. And I answered and said, O you earth, wherefore have you brought forth, if the mind is made out of dust, like as all other created things?
63. For it were better that the dust itself had been unborn, so that the mind might not have been made therefrom.
64. But now the mind grows with us, and by reason of this we are tormented, because we perish and know it.
65. Let the race of men lament and the beasts of the field be glad; let all that are born lament, but let the four-footed beasts and the cattle rejoice.
66. For it is far better with them than with us; for they look not for judgement, neither do they know of torments or of salvation promised to them after death.
67. For what does it profit us, that we shall be preserved alive, but yet be afflicted with torment?
68. For all that are born are defiled with iniquities, and are full of sins and laden with offences: